Girl Up

Overview

Girl Up USA

America’s youth are ready and advocating for meaningful social change. AND, Girl Up USA is here to scale their impact!

Continuing to mobilize youth to advance the movement for gender justice in their hometowns and beyond, Girl Up USA is meeting the needs of youth leaders from Alabama to California to Virginia. After 13 years of growing this global community of changemakers, Girl Up USA will support generations of American youth to further the movement for global gender justice while advocating for more equitable and sustained policy change here in the United States.

Through leadership development trainings, virtual curricula on pressing national and global issues, and innovative programming in organizing, storytelling, advocacy, fundraising, and more, Girl Up USA is equipping thousands of youth with the tools, skills, and resources to create social change across the nation.

Opportunities

2025-26 Youth Advisor Applications
Join the Girl Up USA Youth Advisory Board to lead, inspire, and shape our mission for gender justice
Apply Today!
2025-26 Coalition Leader Applications
Lead, mentor, and inspire as a Girl Up USA Coalition Leader.
Apply Today!
2025 Girl Up USA Town Hall
Join the 2025 Girl Up USA Town Hall to reflect, connect, and plan for an impactful year.
Sign Up today

Priorities

Our Values

Girl Up USA will always be a place for girls to gather, connect, and gain confidence, experience, and expertise on issues they find important. As we grow, Girl Up USA’s focus is:

Knowledge is Power!: Dynamic changemakers collect information to take decisive action. By grounding leaders in facts, they can raise awareness and impact their communities on pressing issues such as gender equity in STEM and sports, civic participation and engagement, sexual and reproductive health, rights, and justice (SRHRJ), and so much more.
Diversity of Voices at the Table: Leaders who have exposure to the different lived experiences of others become better at problem-solving, decision-making, identifying potential bias, and advocating for racial and social justice. By focusing on equity for girls, women, and gender-diverse individuals throughout and beyond Girl Up, we create spaces where all voices are heard and represented.
Collective Action: What’s stronger than one girl? Two. Together, through leadership development training and youth-led events throughout the USA, we take collective and intentional action to make waves of impact across the country, leveraging skills of fundraising, volunteering, and community-building.
Global Mindset: Youth around the globe are facing similar issues yet experiencing and tackling them in different ways. Encouraging a global mindset around these issues allows USA leaders to be aware of and adaptable to different cultures, perspectives, and expectations. This exposure prepares them to show up as better champions, deepen international connections and understanding, and, ultimately, increase our impact on gender equity around the world.

Accomplishments

Celebrate with Us!

Leadership Summit 2024
Already missing the 2024 Girl Up USA Leadership Summit?! To learn about the empowering two-day event
Relive, Rest, & Resist!
Heal Our Planet Earth Day 2024
Discover how this USA leader organized a shoreline cleanup in honor of Earth Day–and her IMPACT!
See Nadia’s Impact

Our team

Meet Our Team

Priestley Johnson (she/hers/her)

GIRL UP USA DIRECTOR

As the new Girl Up USA Director, passionate women and girls advocate, Priestley M. Johnson believes every girl deserves access to education, equal opportunities, and the freedom to pursue their dreams without fear or discrimination. Johnson was most recently the National Director of Partnerships for Michelle Obama’s voting initiative When We All Vote and had previous experience at the International Women’s Forum, the Obama White House Council on Women and Girls, the U.S. House of Representatives, and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Hailing from Hartford, CT, Priestley graduated from Howard University in Washington, D.C.
Kristen Clayton (she/hers/her)

SENIOR ASSOCIATE OF PROGRAMS

A passionate advocate for youth empowerment, equipped with a strong background in community engagement, relationship cultivation, and program management, Kristen is excited to apply her expertise in youth leadership development, event coordination, and collaborative networking to drive and enhance youth-focused programs as the Senior Associate, Programs at Girl Up USA.